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Prosecutor Bathsheba Cassel said Longbottom and Rogers went to the house of Simon Cavanagh in Summer Close and started drinking. But Longbottom had an argument with Mr Cavanagh, who had been in a relationship with his mum, and punched him.

Longbottom and Rogers left but the argument resumed later and spilled into Nelson Drive.

Mernagh said she was punched by Mr Cavanagh’s sister, Jenny, and retaliated. In a rage she admitted kicking the other woman when she was on the ground.

One neighbour said he saw two women ‘punching each other like a cat fight with arms swinging at each other’, said the prosecutor.

Meanwhile Longbottom and Rogers brawled with Mr Cavanagh. Rogers accepted punching the victim and kicking out at him. Longbottom said he exchanged punches with Mr Cavanagh and ‘may have stepped on him’ as he was on the floor. Mernagh said her foot ‘came into contact’ with him too as he was on the ground.

Neighbours described being ‘disgusted’ by the vicious behaviour of the group.

Mr Cavanagh needed seven stitches to his lip and had cuts and bruises to his head and eye. Jenny Cavanagh also had a black eye.

The three defendants had been due to stand trial for the more serious charge of GBH but the two victims had refused to attend court to give evidence. The charges were dropped and they pleaded guilty to affray instead.

Judge Graham Cottle was told Longbottom worked in a warehouse and was sorry for what he had done. Rogers, a plumber, said at the time he had split from his partner and drunk Sambuca at the party. But he said his life was now more stable.

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Mernagh said she was ashamed by her actions. She had only got involved after the Cavanaghs came to Nelson Close. She claimed she was punched first.

Judge Cottle said: “None of you have anything approaching a bad record for violence - Mernagh you are of good character. It is really quite difficult to understand what happened at these two different locations that night and I suggest drink was involved.

“It seems to me in all probability that Simon Cavanagh must accept some degree of responsibility for what occurred that night. Reading between the lines it seems as if he perhaps should take his share of the blame for the violence.”

Longbottom, of Nelson Drive and Rogers, of Roseway, were each given six months in jail, suspended for two years, and told to do 125 hours of unpaid work. They were also ordered to pay £125 costs.

Mernagh was given a two year community order, 20 days on a rehabilitation programme and costs of £75.